We Explore 5 Benefits of Senior IV Therapy and How They Can Help You

Seniors may have difficulty getting the nutrients they need to remain healthy, and often, vitamins or other fluids can help. In other cases, medication needs to be administered, in the most efficient way possible, and taking it orally is not an option.

IV therapy can provide a safe and effective solution. 

How does IV therapy benefit older adults? It effectively provides medication, nutrition and hydration in an efficient manner.  We’ll explore the benefits of senior IV therapy and how it helps our residents at East Carolina Rehabilitation and Wellness.

5 Benefits of Senior IV Therapy for Our Residents

We also want you to rest assured that we have experience in helping seniors through this beneficial therapy.

What conditions can IV therapy help manage? We’ve listed a few of them below. 

1. It Can Prevent Dehydration

One of the benefits of senior IV therapy is that it can help prevent severe dehydration. Seniors are at a greater risk for dehydration than those who are younger. This is because as you age, your body has less water. Combined with a reduction in thirst, the stage is set for some potentially serious conditions that can result from dehydration, including UTIs. 

With IV therapy, we help your loved one avoid the health risks caused by not getting enough fluids. IV therapy can easily administer hydration in the most effective manner possible.

2. It Prevents Malnutrition

Seniors are also at greater risk of malnutrition. As you age, you can lose aspects of your taste and smell. This contributes to a reduced appetite.

Obviously, this can make it difficult for your loved one to get the vital nutrition they need. Our team of experienced healthcare professionals can evaluate the condition and provide these nutrients via IV therapy. 

3. It Can Smoothly and Effectively Administer Medications

In certain cases, medications can not be taken orally. This may be because older adults may have swallowing issues or problems with their GI tract. In addition, some medicines are not absorbed well by the GI tract, and this alternate administration is a viable option. 

4. It Can Provide Fast Pain Relief

You don’t want to see your loved one in pain. We don’t either.

IV therapy is often the quickest way to deliver effective pain relief. Because our healthcare team is available 24/7, we can monitor your loved one’s condition and be on the watch for signs that they are in pain. If they are uncomfortable, all they need to do is press a button and we’ll be by their side. 

We work closely with your loved one’s doctor to carefully follow the appropriate dosage and frequency of any prescription medicine. 

5. It Can Efficiently Provide Vitamins

As we mentioned earlier, older adults face nutritional challenges as they continue to age. IV therapy can provide valuable vitamins directly into their system.

However, it’s important to note that we do so under a doctor’s order and direct supervision. Even though they aren’t considered medications, vitamins must still be consistently monitored. Fortunately, we have a team of professionals at East Carolina Rehabilitation and Wellness’ skilled nursing community in Greenville to make that happen. 

Is IV Therapy Safe for All Seniors?

In general, IV therapy is a safe, effective treatment that helps residents at our assisted living community in Greenville. But the final determination of whether IV therapy is appropriate must be made by the doctor and the healthcare team involved in your loved one’s daily care. They will advise us if it is a safe option for the resident.

However, like every medical procedure, there are some risks. These can involve:

• Bruising: Some patients may experience bruising where the needle was injected. At East Carolina Rehabilitation and Wellness, our healthcare team has extensive experience in starting IVs, particularly in those who have small veins or have veins that are hard to find.
• Allergic reactions: In addition, some people can have allergic reactions either to the IV fluid contents or to the adhesive tape used to secure the IV. We have safeguards to prevent such incidents, and it begins with carefully evaluating your medical chart and speaking with your doctor. We also carefully monitor anyone receiving IV therapy for seniors. 
• Complications from fluid volume: Problems can develop if you give too much fluid too quickly. This is why we carefully monitor the entire treatment process. 

We will closely supervise your loved one throughout the IV administration process to help ensure their safety and well-being. In addition, because we’re a skilled nursing community, assistance is always available 24/7 should your loved one need it. 

What Are the Long-Term Benefits of IV Therapy?

We’ve reviewed some of the initial benefits of senior IV therapy, but what about the long-term gains? These can include:

• Enhanced immune system: Better nutrition can help the body’s immune system grow stronger.
• Increased energy: Hydration and nutrition support can go a long way toward making your loved one feel more energized.
• Better hydration = better health: Hydration has a lot of long-term benefits, mainly that it reduces your loved one’s risk of developing other conditions such as urinary tract infections.
• Improved recovery: If your loved one is facing health challenges, IV medication and hydration can help them recover faster.
• Customized healthcare management: IV therapy can allow long-term treatment plans, particularly in regards to helping manage chronic conditions. 

Have Peace of Mind Knowing Your Loved One Has Access to Expert Care at East Carolina Rehabilitation and Wellness

There are a lot of benefits of senior IV therapy, but we recognize that IV therapy may not be right for everyone. That’s because at East Carolina Rehabilitation and Wellness, we see your loved one as a member of our family, a vital part of the community. Someone who is also an individual who deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

That’s why our healthcare team will carefully evaluate your loved one’s condition to see if this course of treatment will be the right choice for them. As always, we’ll keep you informed every step of the way. 

Worried that you can no longer offer the care your loved one needs? Don’t worry, we’ll provide the peace of mind you need, knowing that we can enhance their quality of life in a safe, nurturing environment. 

Take the next step by contacting us for a tour today. 

The content within this article and others on this website is only for educational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. For any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.